Founder: St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius of Loyola, born in 1491, in the Basque province of Spain, was the youngest son of a noble and affluent family. In 1506, he embarked on his early career as a page and later transitioned into the role of a knight.  In this capacity, he engaged in military endeavors and diplomatic missions. However, his life took a dramatic turn in May 1521 while defending the citadel of Pamplona against the French, when he was struck by a cannonball, sustaining a severe fracture to his right leg and damage to his left. This pivotal event marked the end of the first chapter of his life.

The second phase of Ignatius’ life began with a profound reorientation towards a saintly path. Following his treatment in Pamplona, he was transported to Loyola in June 1521, where his condition was critical, necessitating painful surgeries. During his convalescence, he immersed himself in reading the life of Christ and a book on the lives of the saints. In February 1522, he bid farewell to his family and journeyed to Montserrat, a revered pilgrimage site in northeastern Spain. There, he spent three days confessing the sins of his past, symbolically hanging his sword and dagger near the statue of the Virgin Mary to signify his renunciation of worldly ambitions. He then proceeded to Manresa, near Barcelona, where his stay was marked by spiritual trials, moments of joy, and profound inner illumination. It was here that he began drafting the foundational principles of his seminal work, “The Spiritual Exercises,” which received papal approval from Pope Paul III in 1548. 

In 1539, Ignatius and his companions formed the ‘Society of Jesus,’ adding a vow of obedience to a superior to their existing vows. Pope Paul III approved the order in 1540, and Ignatius was chosen as the first General. Under his leadership, the Society grew rapidly, establishing numerous administrative units worldwide.

Ignatius founded the Roman College, which later became the Gregorian University, and established a home for fallen women, showcasing his commitment to social welfare. Despite frequent illness, he continued to guide the Society until his death on July 31, 1556. His legacy as the founder of the Society of Jesus and a transformative figure in the Church remains a testament to his dedication and visionary leadership.